Members of Staff
- Mr P Semple
- Mr J Frew
- Mrs Nicola Carruthers – Barrister Mentor
The Bar Mock Trial group was formed to allow 6th Form pupils the opportunity to participate in the annual Citizenship Foundation – Bar Mock
Trial Competition.
Open to all, it normally attracts those with an interest in Law, Drama and Debating. The group meets once a week after school in HR1 in preparation for
the Regional Heats which are held at the High Court in Belfast at the end of November. Should they win the team would go on to compete in the National
Finals.
The pupils fulfil a total of 10 roles: 4 Barristers; 4 Witnesses; Usher; Clerk. There is also the opportunity to sample the atmosphere of the event by
acting as a Juror.
The school have a great pedigree in the competition and Coleraine High School teams have been Northern Ireland Champions twice in three years in 2012/13
and 2014/15 and were 3rd in 2015/16.
In 2017/18 the CGS’ Bar Mock Trial Team reached the final of the Citizenship Foundation’s ‘Bar Mock Trial Competition’. Organised by the foundation and
the Bar of Northern Ireland this gives pupils the chance to test their abilities as a barrister, witness or court official. Two cases are prepared
and the team has to be prepared to prosecute and defend each of these cases on the day.
The finalists emerge from 16 teams who have entered the competition with winners going on to represent Northern Ireland at the UK final. One of our founding
schools, Coleraine High School, won the Belfast round and participated in the UK final in 2012 and 2014. We were therefore delighted to reach the final
at the first time of asking for Coleraine Grammar School.
The final was closely fought and after over 30 minutes deliberation the judges returned with their verdict. CGS didn’t emerge victorious but Mr Semple,
Mr Frew and our barrister mentor, Diane Nixon are delighted with the performance of the team.